Vocal Competition for School Students

12-15 September 2017

Open to all school aged students, this competition provides a friendly and encouraging opportunity for young singers to be heard by professional judges and supportive audiences in the opera and classical singing community. Singers are required to audition with two contrasting songs from folk/ballad/art song/aria/musical theatre/opera repertoire.

Classes start 16 February but late enrolments will be accepted to 23 February
Youth Opera is a great opportunity to try something new – to extend your repertoire and knowledge and to find new confidence and passion, meet new friends! Weekly classes will run on Thursdays from 4-6pm and cover singing, performance and creative projects themed around the world of opera, musicals and classical song. Any skill level is accepted but an ability to read music is a plus! Enrolment is available for Term 1 & 2 and we will be working towards a showcase/production at the end of Term 2. Fees $280 per term. Classes will be held at the Opera Factory studio, St Marks Parish Centre, 95 Remuera Road, Newmarket.

The winner was Professor John Drummond of Dunedin with‘The Illustrious Stranger’.

A complete and engaging chamber opera based on real events and taking place in the women’s backstage dressing room of the Theatre Royal in Christchurch, on the evening of Saturday 25 April 1869, when Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was on a Royal Visit to Christchurch.

The judging took place over two full days at the Dolphin Theatre in late January. The panel included Philip Norman of Christchurch (NZ composer, Musicologist, Author), RosemaryBarnes (Opera Music Director, professional Pianist, Accompanist, and Vocal Coach), Stuart Maunder (NZ Opera General Manager, Opera Director) and Sally Sloman (Opera Factory Trustee/Director) with assistance by pianist Gracie Francis.

The final stage of this project is ‘Winning Workshops’ where selected entries will be explored by the panel with the composers and selected singers on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April 2016 at NZ Opera’s Technical Centre in Onehunga. The workshops will conclude late on the Sunday afternoon with an informal demonstration of excerpts and opportunity to meet and mingle with the panel and composers. The full weekend of workshops and the demonstration is open to members, participants, colleagues and the general public.